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Major ceremonies are held throughout the year at Tenchi-ji. During
teaching and training periods, there is recitation each morning
of the major Sutras, such as the Prajñaparamita Naya Sutra (Rishu
kyo) and portions of other Sutras.
The Ninno-e: The Ritual for Good Rulers to Protect the Nation
From December through January, Tenchi-ji performs the Ninno-e,
The Ritual for Good Rulers (To Protect Their Nation). The Ninno-e
ritual has been performed by Kobo Daishi and by many other Japanese
priests to protect their own nation of Japan. The beginning and
ending dates of the Ninno-e may vary but the ritual focus is on
January 8, the day that the Buddha spoke the Sutra on which the
ritual is based.
If you are interested in learning about the Ninno-e's ritual and
teachings, you can find out more in a wonderful new book (August
1998) by Dr. Charles Orzech titled Politics and Transcendent Wisdom.
This book has the text of the Sutra that is the basis for the
Ninno-e.
The Ninno-e ritual is not generally open to the public.
The Goma Fire Ceremony for Native Americans in Central California
Every year in August, a Goma Fire Ceremony is conducted to honor
the souls of the local Choinumni Yokut Native Americans that were
killed in the San Joaquin area. In 1996, a Goma consisting of
10,000 sticks of offering wood was conducted to honor each of
the 10,000 Yokut Native Americans killed between 1851-1858. Annually
their spirit is honored with a special ritual to commemorate their
death.
A description of the incident leading to the killing of the 10,000
Choinumni Yokut Native Americans can be found in Fresno County:
The Pioneer Years by Charles W. Clough. This is a specialized
book widely available in Fresno County Libraries and available
through interlibrary loan.
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